Steam steering apparatus.



F. W. THOMSON.

STEAM STEERING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 1 312.19, 1913.

- Patented Apr. '14, 1914.

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AWU W "I A v W i W J 5 f /o m N IX 0 6 4 d 5 u i o WY 0 41 O on o o 0 W m J o 4 5 X W 1 J 9 COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH 4:0..WASHINOTON. 17.6

F. W. THOMSON.

STEAM STEERING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 1 113.19, 1913.

1,093,085. Patented Apr. 14, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

4 3 l i -Tr K/Z A AI 4 91W L emf/m COLL'MBIA PLANOGRAPH CO.,WASHINGTON, D. C.

. THOMSON STEAM STEERING APPARATUS. APPLICATION IILB'D P1113119, 1913.

Patented Apr. 14, 1914.

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COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (30., WASHINGTON. D. C.

ll IE STATES PT T FIQE.

FREDERICK WILLIAM THOMSON, 016 FORT WILLIAM, ONTARIO, CANADA.

STEAM STEERING APPARATUS.

ments in Steam Steering Apparatus, do

hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

lVhile I am describing my invention as a. steam steering apparatus, it will be understood that it is equally applicable to mechanism of any kind requiring an intermittent, swinging and reversing motion, similar to that applied to the rudder of a vessel, such for instance as the swinging cranes of steamshovels, dredges, and the wrecking apparatus used by railroads. Many other appliare also provided with exhaust openings 11.

cation will occur to the skilled mechanic.

Referring toit as applied to the steam steering of vessels it might be claimed that prior to my invention the only successful} prime mover for this purpose has been the high speed reversing engine. For large 1nstallations, where the matter of expense has been a negligible quantity these have proven very satisfactory, but in the case of the equipment of smaller vessels, and where the expenditure for all purposes was required to be in keeping with the size of the vessel, the reversing engine of a reliable type has been too expensive, and installations of a cheaper type have proven very expensive in upkeep, owing to the rapid wear of their vital parts.

My invention has done away with all rapidly moving parts, and such quick wearing devices, as spiral screw speed, reducing gears previously in use.

The installation is low in first cost, low in upkeep, absolutely reliable in practice, and the results obtained are equal in all respects to those from the most costly installations of the older types.

These are the objects of my invention, and I attain them by means of the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of my apparatus as applied to a rope transmission connecting with the tiller of a vesseL. Fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of one of the cylinders and valve chambers, taken on the line A-B in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view much reduced in scale,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. February 19, 1913.

Patented Apr. 14t, 191%. Serial No. 749,496.

showing the connection between the prime mover and the rudder. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the same principle applied horizontally.

Referring to the drawings which form a part hereof, and in which similar letters and numerals refer to similar parts throughout, my apparatus consists of twin cylinders 1 and 2, each provided with the usual piston rods 3 and 4, connecting with piston heads 5 in their interiors, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. The apparatus as shown in the first four figures contemplates the use of these cylinders in an upright position, and resting upon a stand 6 which is boltedto the lower deck 7. The valve chambers 8 connect with a boiler not shown, by the inlet pipes 9, and with the cylinders by steam ports, as shownat 10 in Figs. 3 and 5, and

Within the chambers are the valves 12, (Figs. 3 and 5) their stems 13 projecting from the end of the chambers in the usual way, these valves 12 may be of any of the usual types, but I prefer the use of a balanced valve as shown in the drawing. 1 1 in Fig. 3 is an end view of this valve. It will be noted, that provision is made for the entry of steam into the cylinders at one end only, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the other ends of the cylinders are connected by a pipe 15 opening into each, and having in its length a valve 16.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, at a point near the upper end of the cylinders and preferably secured to them, is a cross bar 17 pivotally supporting a lever 18, which connects at its upper end with the steering wheel 19 by means of a removable pin 20, and at its lower end with a lever 21, attached to the stem of the valve 16. About midlength of the cylinders is a cross bar 22, with which is pivot-ally connected a T-shaped' lever 23, the horizontal arms of which connect on either sides with the valve stems 13, andthe perpendicular arm of which is pivotally connected with the lever 18. Depending from the stand 6, and firmly secured thereto, are the guide rods 23 and 24: encling in a block 25 sustaining a sheave 26. The piston rods 3 and 4 end in the blocks 27 and 28 respectively, sustaining the sheaves 29 and 30. The block 27 is provided with an extension 31 which slidably connects with the rod 23*, the block 28 being provided with an extension 32 similarly connecting with the rod 24-. Secured to the extension 31 is a short cable or chain 33, which passes about the sheave 26, thence to the extension 32 to which it is secured, thus forming a flexiblc connection between the blocks 27 and 28.

3 1 and are guide sheaves, the purpose of which will be explained later on.

At a suitable point, preferably on the deck above the apparatus already described, is located the steering wheel 19. This is hung loosely upon a shaft supported by the frame or stand 36, through the bearing 37 Secured to one end of the shaft is a face plate 38, and on the opposite end of the shaft a spool or roller 39. A cable passes about the spool 39 and down either side thereof, the end 11 passing around the sheave 29 thence up over the guide sheave 3-1, and on through asmany more guide sheaves as are required, to reach the tiller segment 13, (in Fig. 4.), to which it is operatively secured. The cable end 12 pursues a similar course down around the sheave 30 and up over the guide sheave 35 thence to the tiller.

It will be understood of course, that I do not confine myself to the use of a cable either of wire or other material for this purpose, in fact under some circumstances a chain would be more suitable, in which case a chain sheave would be substituted for the spool 39 over which the cable 40 passes. Into the heads of the cylinders 1 and 2 are inserted small relief valves 13, which serve to break the vacuum created in the cylinders by the condensation of steam therein, at times when the apparatus has been idle for a sufficient length of time. Vithout these valves. a vacuum in either of the cylinders would cause either av creeping of the piston in that particular cylinder which would operate on the rudder, or a strain 011 the short cable 33 which might disarrange the apparatus.

The apparatus as shown is intended for alternative hand or power steering. hen it is desirable to steer by hand the power apparatus is disconnected by theremoval of the pin 20 connecting the lever 18 with the wheel 19. The thumb screw 44: in the face plate 38, is screwed into a hole tapped into the hub of the steering wheel 19 to receive it, and the pin 45, carried by the bracket 16 on the bearing 37, is removed from its connection with the spool 39, thus allowing the wheel 19 through its connection with the face plate 38, on the end of the shaft 17, to which is also attached the spool 39, to operate the cable 10. The power apparatus in this case simply stands still, and the whole cable has a longitudinal movement, in either direction as desired, thus operating the rudder. hen power steer ing is desirable these operations are reversed.

The pin 45 is pushed or screwed into a hole in the end of the spool 39 made to receive it, thus rendering the spool 39 and cable 10 immovable, the thumb screw 44 removed from contact with the steering wheel 19, which is then free to revolve on the shaft 47 between the shoulders formed by the face plate 38 on the one side, and the bearing 37 on the other. The pin 20 is replaced thus forming pivotal and sliding connection to the extent required, between the wheel 19 and the lever 18, and completing the connection between the steering wheel 19 which now becomes a controlling wheel, and the motive apparatus below. As previously stated, the space at one end in each cylinder is reserved for steam, and the space in the opposite end is filled with fluid, preferably water, the pipe 15 providing means by which the fluid may pass from one cylinder'to the other, and the valve 16 being a means for controlling the flow of the fluid through the pipe 15, thus the/piston heads rest upon fluid cushions, the cushion in one cylinder having interrupted communication with that in the other.

The apparatus as described having been put in shape for power steering, the position of the parts is as follows: The cable 10 has been rendered immovable longitudr nally, and any movement of the rudder is effected by taking up the slackin the cable on the one side and paying it out on the other. The position of the rudder shows that the steering wheel or helm 19 has been at starboard. The helm has now been thrown to port to alter the course of the vessel to starboard, the movement of the wheel 19, through the departure of the lever 18 from the perpendicular, has operated through the T shaped lever 23 attached to the valve stem 13 to place the cylinder 1 in Figs. 1 and 2 in exhaust position, and cylinder 2 in steam taking position, as shown in Fig. 3; the movement of the lever 18 through its connection with the lever 21, has also opened the valve 16, giving free passage for the fluid from one cylinder to the other. The pressure of the steam in cylinder 2, Fig. 1 will force down the piston head 5, the fluid below it passing through the pipe 15 and carrying up with it the piston head in cylinder 1, corresponding with the piston head 5 in cylinder 2. The piston rod 41 will descend taking up the slack in the end 42 of the cable 40, and the piston rod 3 will ascend paying out the slack in the end 11 of the cable, the rudder moving ac cordingly. It will be understood that the amount of movement given thewheel 19 controls the rapidity of the movement described, and that if the movement of the wheel be such as to return the lever 18 to a perpendicular position at any period of the said movement, the valves will immediately be in neutral position, all movements of the apparatus will stop, and the rudder be held at the point desired. The fluid is the controlling medium, as this being compara tively incompressible, the full boiler pressure would be insuflicient to move the pistons were the valveslG to remain unopened. The guide rods 23* and 24 serve in the manner of cross-head slides for the pistons 3 and 4t, and also keep the sheaves 29 and 30 in proper alinement. The short cable preserves the relative positions of the pistons one to the other.

It will be observed that as the apparatus is not constantly in motion the steam ends of the cylinders Will naturally fill with water due to the condensation of steam therein. This is a feature of much importance in the upright type of the apparatus, as the presence of this accumulation of liquid on the upper sides of the pistons prevents the blowing of steam past the piston rings from the steam to the fluid ends of the cylinders. Also, the presence in the steam ends of the cylinders of this water due to condensation reduces the steam room in the cylinders and consequently the amount of heat that is communicated to the apparatus by the steam, thus preventing any chance of raising the temperature of the liquid in the fluid ends of the cylinders to the boiling point, which, should it happen, would have a tendency to make the movements of the pistons erratic. The upright form of the apparatus is best calculated to hold the water due to condensation and make use of these valuable features, while the presence of the water in no way interferes with the movements of the pistons, in fact quite the contrary as the forcing of the surplus water through the exhaust port at each movement of the pistons serves to steady their movements.

Any evaporation of the fluid originally placed in the apparatus is compensated for by that produced by the condensation of steam, a certain amount of which will find its way below the piston heads.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 5 is in horizontal position and differs somewhat from that previously described, though the prin ciple involved is the same. In this figure as in the others the interior of each cylinder is divided by a piston, the space at one side of it being for steam and the other foriluid. But in this case the positions of the steam and water ends is reversed, the steam being admitted to one end of one cylinder and to the opposite end oi. the other, while the pipe 15 which connects the fluid ends takes an angling course from the end of one cyl inder to the opposite end of the other. By this arrangement of the parts the pistons in the cylinders are made to move together, rather than oppositely as by the previous arrangements, thus it becomes preferable to continue the piston rods 3 and 4t out both ends of the cylinders, connecting them together by the extensions 31 and 32 of the blocks 27 and 28 which carry the sheaves 29 and 30.

In practice the apparatus as described has proven eminently satisfactory, the cost of installation has been low, and after a period of use suflicient to demonstrate its value, no apparent wear of the parts has been discovered.

Having thus fully described my said invention what I claim as new is 1. An apparatus for the purpose specified comprising cylinders, one end of each adapted for steam and the other end for fluid, alternately reciprocated pistons in the cylinders between the steam and fluid ends thereof, a passage for the flow of fluid between the cylinders and valves controlling the admission and exhaust of steam to and from said cylinders and the flow of fluid through said passage, the closing or said steam and fluid valves stopping the movement of said pistons, and relief valves in the steam ends of said cylinders preventing the unpremeditated movement of said pistons due to a vacuum in said cylinders created by the condensation of steam remaining therein after the closing olf said steam and fluid valves.

2. An apparatus for the purpose described comprising two cylinders mounted adjacent each other, pistons movable in said cylinders, the piston rods projecting from said cylinders connected with each other, a pipe connecting one end of one cylinder with one end of the other, and a valve in said pipe, a liquid filling said pipe and the space in each cylinder between the piston therein and the connected end thereof, the space in said cylinders on the opposite sides of said pistons being adapted for steam, and valves controlling the admission of steam thereto, the closing of said steam and fluid valves stopping the movement of said pis tons, and means whereby unpremeditated movement of said pistons due to a vacuum in either cylinder is prevented.

3. An apparatus for the purpose specified comprising two cylinders, one end of each being adapted for steam and the other end for fluid, a passage bet-ween the cyl' inders for the flow of the fluid from one to the other, and valves controlling the admission of steam to said cylinders and the flow of said fluid through said passage, pistons reciprocable in said cylinders and disposed between the steam and fluid contained therein, guide rods extending in the same longitudinal direction as said cylinders and a sheave at the ends of said guide rods, the piston-rods extending from the ends of said cylinders having sliding connection with said guide rods and a flexible member passing about said sheaves and connecting with the piston rods on either side, whereby the pistons in said cylinders are allowed to move in opposite directions while their relative position to each other is maintained, and valves in said cylinders adapted to prevent a vacuum therein and a movement of said pistons due thereto.

4-. An apparatus for the purpose described comprising two perpendicularly disposed cylinders, the upper end of each adapted for steam and the lower end of each for fluid, a passage between the cylinders for the flow of the fluid from one to the other, and valves controlling the admission of steam to the cylinders and the flow of fluid through said passage, pistons reciprocable in said cylinders and disposed between the steam and fluid ends thereofywhereby the water due to the condensation of steam in said cylinders collecting above said pistons prevents the blowing of steam past said pistons and the boiling of the fluid in the lower ends of said cylinders.

Dated at city of Winnipeg this fourteenth day of February 1913.

FREDERICK WILLIllM THOMSON.

Witnesses:

GERTIE BOLDI, T. T. THoMsoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington; I); C. 

